The challenges facing security professionals have evolved exponentially over the last few years. The events of Sept. 11, 2001, brought the face of a global threat to American soil. Advancements in technology have raised the opportunities for monetary and identity theft and cyber terrorism. There are new challenges at every turn, and employers are demanding more and more from job applicants every day.
Today’s security managers and officers are stepping into new roles – beating back the stereotypical concept of the mall cop and emerging as highly sought-after security professionals tasked with protecting persons, property and information from an ever-changing catalog of threats. But to meet these challenges – domestic and foreign, public and private – head on, security professionals need to be prepared for when entering the field, including when and where to seek a college degree, what skills employers are most focused on, where to get them and ways to keep one’s skills current.